Coal India Ltd (CIL) has issued an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) tender to develop 3,000 MW of grid-connected solar power projects across India on a turnkey basis. The initiative forms part of its strategic push to achieve 9.5 GW of renewable energy capacity by FY2030.

The proposed locations for these projects include Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Bidders must submit their proposals by 16 September 2025, which will also be the opening date for bids.

Applicants may quote for any capacity ranging from 200 MW to 3,000 MW. The scope of work includes complete design, engineering, procurement of modules and balance-of-system components, construction, testing, and commissioning. It also requires operation and maintenance services post-commissioning.

Selected developers will be responsible for land acquisition and ensuring the projects are interconnected with the nearest interstate transmission system (ISTS) network. Each project must achieve a minimum capacity utilisation factor (CUF) of 25 per cent.

Progress Towards Renewable Targets

CIL has so far installed 210 MW of solar capacity, comprising rooftop and ground-mounted systems. During FY 2024–25, it implemented a 300 MW solar project at Khavda in Gujarat and commissioned 114 MW across various facilities:

• 20 MW in Piparwar
• 4 MW in Giridih
• 20 MW in Dudga (Jharkhand)
• 50 MW in Patnagarh (Odisha)
• 20 MW in Bishrampur

Additionally, 12.11 MW of rooftop solar capacity has been commissioned across its subsidiaries.

In July 2025, CIL invited bids for an 875 MW solar project at RVUNL’s 2,000 MW solar park in Pugal, Rajasthan. Earlier in May, the company also invited expressions of interest from potential buyers to procure power from its 4.5 GW renewable pipeline at a fixed tariff, with delivery through the ISTS network.

Through these initiatives, Coal India is significantly ramping up its contribution to India’s renewable energy goals while reducing its dependence on conventional fossil fuel-based power.